Interview with character tenor Graham Clark

Graham Clark: I Simply Switched Hobbies

by Per-Erik Skramstad

The great character tenor Graham Clark talks about his
career, his Bayreuth years, his work with Harry Kupfer and Ring characters
Loge and Mime. Graham Clark has done over 350 Wagner performances including
over 250 performances of Der Ring des Nibelungen. He has been 16 seasons
in Bayreuth and done over 100 performances there as Loge, Mime, David,
Steuermann, Melot and Seemann.

Graham Clark, in this interview I would like to ask you about your career
as a Wagner singer and your success in Bayreuth. But let's start with you
telling how your first encounter with Wagner's music dramas was.

I first sang Wagner’s music with Scottish Opera. I was a member of
the company from 1975 to 1977 when we did a new production of Die Meistersinger
von Nürnberg. Initially, I sang Balthasar Zorn in 1977 and understudied
David, which I sang a year later in 1978. It was a wonderfully colourful
and traditional production by David Pountney and was hugely successful.
I loved the experience, especially as I had no knowledge of Wagner before
this. (I became an opera singer after careers as a sports teacher and as
a technical officer for the Sports Council). A whole new world was revealed
to me.

I was invited to audition for the role of David in a new production of
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in 1981. It was somewhat daunting and
passed almost like a dream. I knew little about Bayreuth or Wagner at that
time and the audition was on a Sunday morning. As I walked up to the Festspielhaus
in a daze, I was rudely awakened by a very large number of American tanks,
which roared past me into the station marshalling yard. I walked up the
hill to the theatre in bright sunshine and was very kindly received and
taken to the dark side of the stage where another five singers stood. Our
names were called out in seemingly random order and I was last. I had to
listen to all the others singing David’s monologue and increasingly
I really wondered why I was there as they were all so wonderful. Finally
my name was called and I thought nothing ventured, nothing gained, let’s
go for it. We were then taken back to a room where Wolfgang Wagner appeared
beaming, thanked us for coming and said another singer had still to be
heard. It was some time later before I was told that I had been chosen.
Extraordinary. I was thrilled.

You have done over 100 performances in Bayreuth over 16 seasons. I guess
one could say that these summers must have been special for you since you
chose to return year after year?

The atmosphere at the Festspielhaus has always been very special. We
were grilled hard and often on both music and text and the rehearsals were
intense, and that has its own fierce attraction. The audience reaction to performances in Bayreuth is extreme with wild and prolonged
applause and cheering and also vociferous booing. Our Meistersinger performances
between 1981 and 1987 averaged something like forty-five curtain calls
over the seven years I sang David. That is over an hour of curtain calls
some evenings. Quite extraordinary.

Wolfgang Wagner always sat next to
me during the final scene of the final performance of Die Meistersinger,
dressed in a smock and costume and drank my beer! Most importantly, in
my early years there all the singers remained at the Festspielhaus throughout
the season and we had a really fantastic social life
both inside and outside rehearsals and performances. For
example, we had many parties and receptions, tennis tournaments and even
a Solisten football team that played a team of German internationals
including Beckenbauer and was recorded on TV.

The hub of the Festspielhaus at Bayreuth is the Kantine. Everyone meets
there – singers, chorus, technical crew and orchestra. The excitement of
rehearsals and performances is palpable in the Kantine too. You
must remember that all the season’s operas
are performed at the same time at Bayreuth, unlike, for example, Salzburg
where the operas are spread out over a long period. Consequently, we see
and meet all our colleagues who are in all the other operas on a daily
basis, talk about our experiences and watch all the main rehearsals. It
is a vibrant atmosphere. Clearly, the standard of
performances is exceptional
too – controversial sometimes, yes, but always enthralling. The orchestra
and chorus are par excellence year in year out and a wonder to hear and
watch. The acoustics, the stagings and the demands
of such high profile performances are a magnet for anyone interested in
theatre. I loved my
time there, I really did, and have so many wonderful memories. It certainly
wasn’t easy at times and I was stretched to the limit, but it was
hugely rewarding.

Heinz Zednik writes in his autobiography about the pros and cons of the
extensive rehearsals in Bayreuth. What are your thoughts on this?

I love rehearsals. It is a time of experimentation, exploration and carefully
studied examination of music and text. With astute coaching so much can
be achieved. New vistas are opened up, new perspectives are explored and
your understanding of the music and text takes on new dimensions and gathers
pace and balance. Your personal technique and understanding are tested
and adjusted and your awareness of the psychological dimensions of the
characters develops profoundly. Every day of rehearsals can bring immense
rewards.

When we did the 1988-1992 Ring with Barenboim and
Kupfer, we started
full rehearsals for the entire Ring in April 1988, but rehearsals for Siegfried
began in 1987, one year before the Ring year and between performances of
Die Meistersinger. We had the full set and props for the 1988 Ring, one
year in advance! Siegfried Jerusalem and I rehearsed extensively the first
two acts of Siegfried. I had already sung both my roles, Loge and Mime,
elsewhere before Bayreuth, but our prolonged rehearsal period was absolutely
revelatory. We were frequently exhausted after a long day’s rehearsals,
but exhilarated too. We were convinced it would be an
extraordinary production and series of performances and our exhilaration and thirst for success
was intoxicating. Of course, the prime reason for these feelings was having
the wonderful luxury of working with Barenboim and Kupfer in tandem. They
were an extraordinary team and gave us so much undivided attention, care
and love. It was a quite unforgettable period and undoubtedly one of the
major highlights of my career.

Your Loge (Das Rheingold) and Mime (Siegfried) in the Harry Kupfer production
1988-1992 was a huge success among both critics and the festival audience.
Please tell us about how you experienced these Bayreuth years.

The years passed all too quickly, although each year was extremely demanding.
Rehearsals were equally intense each year as in the
first year. There was never any sense of simple repetition. Each year the operas were studied
deeply and carefully and adjustments made. The performances grew and matured,
but that maturity came through diligent application and careful further
exploration. We never cruised! As a result, our exhilaration, mentioned
above, never, ever sagged.

You seem to me the ideal singer for a Kupfer production, being so physical
and able to act – not to mention your comic talents that suits the Kupfer
style. Has your cooperation with Harry Kupfer been especially important
for you?

Yes, Harry and I became good friends throughout those years and
subsequently. He had very clear ideas about the production he wanted and
we searched and struggled to create it for him. We
had many laughs in rehearsals as I tried and sometimes made a complete
dog’s dinner of some of
the production he demanded. But perseverance and trial and error
over the long period of rehearsals ironed out the problems. Nothing demanding
works first time, especially in opera. It takes endless attempts to approach
the ideal required, and patience and trust. I had that in Harry and I hope
he had it in me. His voice still rings in my ears.

Graham Clark (Mime) and John Treleaven (Siegfried) in
Harry Kupfer's production of Siegfried at Gran Teatro del Liceu in Barcelona.
Available on DVD from Opus Arte.

The cooperation between Daniel Barenboim,
Harry Kupfer and the singers were quite extraordinary, and something
I guess repertory theatre singers never experience?

Both Daniel Barenboim and Harry Kupfer devoted the whole of Spring and
Summer of 1988 and much of Summer 1987 to make the Ring such a success.
They were always there at rehearsals, seven days a week in 1988, 10am to
6/7pm, from mid April to the end of performances at the end of August.
Discussions about music, production, props, costumes,
technical problems were always a three way process between Harry, Daniel
and the singer. Deep and sincere cooperation was undoubtedly the key to
the success. We had extensive musical rehearsals, both solo calls and ensemble
calls with Daniel. Sometimes Harry would attend to clarify a point whilst
Daniel was always at production calls to ensure the highest musical standards. We owe them
so much and I learnt so much. Our team of musical coaches was rather extraordinary
too – Tony Pappano, John Fiore, Simone Young, Ascher Fisch, Tony
Legge, Lionel Friend, Susan Webb, amongst others.

What is the difference of singing in Bayreuth compared to the other opera
houses?

The acoustics are so extraordinary. The famous hooded and deep
orchestral pit gives it a unique sound. It is hard to describe and more
technical experts than myself will give you a better appraisal, but it
is clear, resonant, warm, in some instances quite ethereal as in Parsifal
and sometimes quite shatteringly loud on stage. But that is only part of
the equation. There are other aspects of singing in Bayreuth that are unique
to the house. First of all the performances begin
at 4pm for those with
intervals and the intervals are one hour long. The public
mood changes according to the opera performed – on Tristan days there is love
and magic in the air, on Hollander days there is a certain swing in conversation,
on Ring days there is heavy study, opinion and argument in the air, Parsifal
quietens and soothes the soul whilst Meistersinger days create joviality
and fun. As performers we sense these moods and they do affect our performances
accordingly. Other factors are that the entire crew
and orchestra are there because they want to be there for the summer festival
and to be involved in the Wagner experience. Some have worked at the festival for over 30
years, summer in, summer out.

The chorus is second to none, again with
many loyal, long-serving members. The intense working schedule and the
superb facilities are a joy and the seven-day weekly timetable means that
you forget the rest of the world exists for the period you are there. But
first and foremost, the most important factor is that you are personally
invited by the grandson of Richard Wagner to attend and perform Wagner’s
operas in his own house and theatre. Nothing beats that honour.

Do you think singers and conductors still feel that it is an honour to
perform in Bayreuth?

Absolutely. There is no other opera house in the world
with a direct living family link to the composer and creator of his own
Festival.

The last time I visited Bayreuth (in 1997), the question of who
were to succeed Wolfgang Wagner as Festival leader was a very hot topic.
Gottfried Wagner had just released his book "Wer nicht mit dem Wolf
heult",
and Wolfgang Wagner was under attack for his way of running the festival.
Now, more than ten years later, the succession soap opera is still not
over. How did you experience this?

I didn’t. Wolfgang Wagner was very much in control, it is his family
house and we were there at his personal invitation.

What are your thoughts on the Bayreuth Festival's future?

I very much
look forward to the continuing Bayreuth Festival’s expression
of the Wagnerian ideal, whatever that is. For me, it is an endless search
to try to satisfy a deep curiosity of matchless music and text.

Now, Loge is certainly one of my favourite characters in the Ring. He
is hilariously funny, intelligent, manipulative, dangerous and ironic – a
dream for a character tenor, I would guess?

Yes, Loge is great fun to play. Fire has many facets and can be represented
in many ways. There are sparks and very small fires to huge conflagrations.
Some fires are terrifying with enormous destructive force, whilst others
are considered comforting and warm, especially in winter, yet have an inherent
danger. Some are blue in colour, such as the gas fire on a kitchen cooker,
and appear to be cold. But put your finger in and, of course, it is burnt.
That fire has a constant shape too, whereas a bonfire dances and has many
branches of fire, all equally dangerous of varying length and strength.
Fire can therefore be very controlled and contained
or very uncontrolled and wild. These attributes offer the role of Loge
immense opportunities for characterisation and vocal colour and Wagner’s
music and text reflect these characteristics. At times it is loud and declamatory whilst
at others it is beautifully lyrical. It is also tight, brief, mocking,
ironic and sarcastic, full of mood changes, with crisp, sharp, pointed
and sarcastic alliteration. I tried to reflect these differences both physically
and vocally throughout the performances and found it a fascinating challenge
and a delight to explore.

Do you see Loge as a kind of a jester?

He certainly mocks Wotan and the Gods, loathes Alberich and has a mild
sympathy for Mime and Fasolt. His biting irony and cutting
remarks could
certainly be construed as those of a court jester, but he is no fool. He
is a demi God of intellect and manner and who has all the Macht, power,
he needs. Fire has natural power. Loge doesn’t seek it, nor does
he need it. Hence, he is able to treat the Gods with disdain and contempt.
But he never resorts to simple posturing and tomfoolery. If he did, it
would weaken his authority and stature.

Loge and Mime are never rewarded, no matter how hard they try. Immer is
Undank Loges Lohn. He is only accepted by Wotan, and is "halb so echt" as
the gods. Is Loge a tragic character?

I don’t think so. He is a loner,
a fixer, a commentator, a mediator and a judge of character and situation.
But he loves to tempt and to test the Gods and contrives and manipulates
situations for them to bite the bait and stumble. I think he is far too
fascinating, quicksilver and intellectually adroit to be considered pathetic.

Ernest Newman describes Mime as "a thing of evil, and, in his debased
way, of power for evil". What is the nature of this evil?

Mime is utterly duplicitous and conniving. Early
in Das Rheingold, without prompting, he declares his burning desire to
hold the Ring and have power over everyone. This is the motivating force
of his psyche. He will explore
any way he can to win power, and will willingly kill to get it. He has
lived a pretty miserable life under the yoke of his brother and underground.
He desperately wants to escape the tyranny, but he is
only a technician and hasn’t the intellect to design the Tarnhelm
or his own destiny, only to make the Tarnhelm according to instructions
from Alberich.

His
whole appearance in Siegfried is a study of his torment
to win the Ring and destroy Siegfried. Nothing else interests him. The unwritten story
of what happened at the end of Walküre confuses the issue for him
too. Did he see Sieglinde die, did he snatch the baby Siegfried or was
it thrust into his hands forcing him into another miserable dilemma? If
it wasn’t for his duplicity, he could be considered rather pathetic.

According to stage directions for "Young Siegfried", Wagner
wanted the comic elements in the characterization of Mime on stage to be
toned down. In productions of "Siegfried" today comedy dominates,
don't you agree? And doesn't this make Mime harmless?

Yes, of course it can. But I like to see some comedy in Mime’s scenes
because it highlights his stupidity, his crude thirst
for power, his meanness
and his irrepressible conniving. Additionally, the youthfulness and immaturity
of Siegfried becomes more poignant and apparent. However, it shouldn’t
necessarily dominate the act and detract from the energy and thrust of
the mission of the young hero. In any case, in the full scale of the Ring,
Mime is harmless from the beginning and somewhat ridiculous in his passion
for power.

Alberich is a victim of the Rhinemaiden's mockery and rejection, Mime
is a victim of Alberich's repressive tyranny and Siegfried is a product
of growing up with a selfish father ruled by self-pity, anxiety and lust
for power. They all lose something of themself. But instead of turning
the grieving process into "mitleid" and deeper insights, they
all become more or less sadistic and destructive. Do you find the vicious
mockery of suffering people in Rheingold and Siegfried (not to mention
Meistersinger) disturbing?

The lust for power is a desperate act and has an infectious fascination
for many. It surrounds us daily and has always existed. Sadly, it will
never disappear. Dictators’ lives end in ignominy. In the meantime
they have made many people’s lives utterly miserable. I think it
is quite appropriate to highlight the consequences
of the lust for power and the ensuing suffering in any way and hopefully strive for a far better
life. The arts and music give us that opportunity.

What is
your view on traditionalist productions versus the so called "Regietheater"?

Both have their place and can be justified accordingly. I enjoy the
challenge of both.

Can you tell us any practical jokes you have experienced on the stage? Or
something that went terribly wrong?

Yes, we had many jokes between us on stage, both in Bayreuth and elsewhere.
I put a fish in a prop for Siegfried Jerusalem once in Bayreuth; the final
Meistersinger performances between 1981 and 1987 always had a joke at some
point, usually involving Hans Sotin, once as a Putzfrau throughout act
one cleaning the windows of the church, and, on another occasion, sitting
as Niklaus Vogel, the ill Meister, in the role call in act one.

The anvil
broke in the opening 10 minutes of Siegfried act one and couldn’t
be smashed by Siegfried at the end of the act in one performance, and so
on and so on. Live performances are just that – live – and anything
can go wrong. It’s almost
Murphy’s Law – if it can go wrong, it will. The trick
is to camouflage it somehow, which is easier said than done and usually
ends up making it more obvious.

Who is the Graham Clark when he is not performing or rehearsing?
What do you do that are not related to opera?

I was a sportsman for many years
before I was a singer. I simply switched hobbies. They are now reversed.
Our grandchildren are the focus and joy of our older age.